From left, Payslie Guge, Wilhemina States, and Legend Watson, students in Shelby Pierce’s kindergarten class at Judith Giacoma Elementary School in Westville were excited to hold the baby chicks that were hatched in their classroom, thanks to a donation from the Vermilion County Farm Bureau.

On March 15, the students in Shelby Pierce’s kindergarten class at Judith Giacoma Elementary School in Westville were greeted with the chirping of six chicks that had hatched in their classroom incubator.

While the class did not get to see all of the chicks hatch from their eggs, it did little to dampen their excitement.

“As of that morning, we had six hatched and one still pipping.” Pierce said. “That chick hatched a couple days later.”

The students were able to hold some of the chicks while they also learned about the young birds and how to care for them.

The Vermilion County Farm Bureau donated the eggs and the incubators, along with the heat, lamp, feeders, food and bedding to set up the brooder.

Ms. Pierce’s class was one of many throughout the county that had the opportunity to hatch eggs in their classroom.

“My students and I are so grateful for the opportunity to have chicks hatch in our classroom!” Pierce said.